Digital Twin Technology for Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Buildings: A Systematic Review, Bibliometric Analysis, and Future Research Agenda

Abstract

The exploration of digital twin technology has significant implications for enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. This systematic review aims to consolidate and critically assess the existing literature concerning the application of digital twin capabilities in the built environment, thereby highlighting the transformative potential embedded within this innovative technology. A detailed bibliometric analysis is included to provide insights into the trends, authorship, and foundational contributions that have shaped the field of study, identifying key researchers and influential publications that set the groundwork for future exploration (Katsoulakis E et al., 2024) ,  (Soori M et al., 2023) ,  (Dong Z et al., 2023) . Digital twins facilitate a dynamic representation of physical buildings through real-time data integration, thus enabling an array of functionalities from energy monitoring to predictive maintenance and operational optimization (Jafari M et al., 2023) ,  (Diego M Botín Sanabria et al., 2022) ,  (Yao J et al., 2023) . By simulating building performance under various scenarios, the technology not only supports energy efficiency initiatives but also contributes to sustainable development goals by minimizing carbon footprints and resource consumption (Tuhaise VV et al., 2023), (Cheng‐Wang X et al., 2023). The interconnectivity between the physical environment and its digital twin enhances decision-making processes among stakeholders, allowing for an improved understanding of energy flows and usage patterns (Bibri SE et al., 2024). Furthermore, the potential of digital twin technology to integrate with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and artificial intelligence (AI) allows for the real-time capture of performance metrics, further bolstering the building's operational efficiency (Sun T et al., 2023), (Singh M et al., 2022). Recent advancements in digital modeling have significantly broadened the scope for analysis, encompassing factors such as occupant comfort, which plays a crucial role in overall building effectiveness (İbrahim Yitmen et al., 2025), (Aljawharah A Alnaser et al., 2024).